Perkasie to review police training in light of shooting

Borough to study department protocol. Bucks district attorney to determine if action was justified.

June 22, 2012|By Melinda Rizzo, Special to The Morning Call

Perkasie borough will review police training and protocol in light of the shooting death of a Quakertown man by borough police earlier this month.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is investigating the shooting death of Michael Marino Jr., 26, in Sellersville on June 9.

Perkasie police, who patrol Sellersville, encountered Marino after receiving a report that a man was causing a disturbance and acting strangely near a convenience store in the 300 block of W. Main Street, officials said.

Three officers responded, and one of them killed Marino with a single gunshot to the chest outside a vacant business at 201 Clymer Ave., officials said. He died at the scene.

The full-time officers have been placed on paid administrative leave during the district attorney's investigation.

The Bucks County coroner ruled Marino's death a homicide, and the district attorney's office is determining whether the shooting was justified.

Meanwhile, Perkasie Borough Council President Matt Aigeldinger said Perkasie Police Chief Joseph Gura would conduct his own review of the shooting.

Perkasie Borough Manager Dan Olpere said the borough's review would differ from that of the district attorney's office.

"Our police internal investigation will have to do with protocols, training and process," Olpere said.

Perkasie police have nonlethal weapons such as stun guns, but Gura has not said whether the officers confronting Marino had them.

Perkasie Mayor John Hollenbach told the community to be patient.

"It's been a sad and tragic couple of weeks for Perkasie. While we wait for the investigations and reports, I'd ask you to remember the first responders who are so important to our community," he said.

Hollenbach was also referring to a near drowning that occurred at Menlo Aquatics Center the day after the shooting.

A 3-year-old child was pulled from the water on June 10 and CPR was immediately performed by an off-duty Perkasie firefighter who is also an emergency responder. The president of the swim team assisted him.

On-duty lifeguards cleared the compound's three pools and called 911, Olpere said.

Olpere said the pool staff is trained in emergency response and CPR and acted appropriately.

"We have been trying to reach the parents of the child but have not had any response from them," Olpere said.

Olpere said according to the police report at the scene, the child was breathing and crying before being taken to Grandview Hospital in Sellersville.

"She was then transferred to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for overnight observation," Olpere said.

Olpere said the borough had not received updates about the child's condition.

Several council members supported the pool staffers, and their actions at Monday's council meeting.

"If the employees of the pool acted inappropriately, we'd have a room full of angry people tonight and we don't," Councilman Steve Pizzollo said. Monday's meeting was sparsely attended.

Aigeldinger said council would tour the pool and its facilities and review safety procedures along with the staff.